Part 135 Acquisition Process

Acquiring an existing Part 135 air charter company can provide a faster and more efficient path to charter operations than starting a new certification project. USAC Aviation helps the purchaser transition the company to the new ownership, aircraft, management team, pilots, and business.

The air carrier certificate remains with the company. The purchaser acquires the company and then completes the changes needed for the new operation.

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Start With the Existing Company

The company already has an established regulatory and operating foundation. The acquisition process focuses on adapting that foundation to the purchaser's aircraft and intended operation.

• Existing Part 135 air carrier company.
• Established manuals, programs, and operating procedures.
• General Operations Manual.
• General Maintenance Manual.
• Training programs.
• Safety Management System.
• Maintenance and operational recordkeeping systems.
• Existing relationship and history with the FAA.

Define the New Operation

Before significant transition work begins, USAC works with the purchaser to define the operation that the company will support.

• Aircraft make, model, configuration, and ownership status.
• Primary operating base.
• Passenger and charter mission.
• Management personnel.
• Pilot staffing and qualifications.
• Maintenance support.
• Financial resources.
• Growth plans and additional aircraft.

Complete the Company Acquisition

The business transaction and FAA transition are related, but they are not the same process. The purchase documents establish the commercial agreement. The FAA process addresses the operational changes required after the acquisition.

• Letter of Intent.
• Due diligence.
• Purchase Agreement.
• Ownership and management transition.
• Required FAA notifications and approvals.

Prepare the Aircraft

The purchaser's aircraft must be ready to operate under the company's Part 135 authority. USAC assists with the records, conformity, maintenance, equipment, and operating requirements needed to add the aircraft.

• Aircraft records review.
• Aircraft conformity.
• Maintenance program integration.
• Required inspections and corrections.
• Minimum Equipment List, when applicable.
• Aircraft-specific manuals and procedures.

Qualify Management and Flight Crews

The new operation must have qualified management and properly trained flight crews. USAC assists with qualification, training, checking, records, and FAA coordination.

• Director of Operations.
• Director of Maintenance.
• Chief Pilot.
• Captains and other required flight crewmembers.
• Management qualification and FAA acceptance or approval, as applicable.
• Initial and aircraft-specific training.
• Required pilot checking.

Complete Proving and Validation

Depending on the aircraft and proposed operation, the FAA may require proving, validation, demonstration, inspection, or other operational activity before the aircraft is released for charter service.

USAC helps organize the aircraft, personnel, records, manuals, and operating procedures so the required activity can be completed efficiently.

Begin and Grow the Charter Operation

The acquisition is complete when the purchaser owns the company. The transition continues until the aircraft, people, programs, and operating authority are ready for the purchaser's intended charter operation.

USAC can continue to support the company after revenue operations begin.

• Operational support.
• FAA compliance.
• Safety Management System support.
• Training and checking.
• Management coaching.
• Additional aircraft and expanded operations.
• Business growth.

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Next - Acquisition Steps

The next page describes the sequence from the Letter of Intent through the Purchase Agreement, Aircraft Conformity, Management and Pilot Training, Proving and Validation, and Growing the Business.

Acquisition Steps